Marcin Uszynski PhD

Marcin is a Senior Chartered Physiotherapist in Neurology and a Clinical Lead Physiotherapist in Axon Rehab. Marcin graduated from the University School of Physical Education in Cracow in Poland in 2001 with a MSc in Physiotherapy (Hons). He then worked in public, private and community settings in Poland (5 years) and Ireland (15 years), in the areas of neurology, neurorehabilitation and musculoskeletal physiotherapy. He has gained his clinical experience working with patients with multiple sclerosis, stroke, motor neuron disease, Parkinson’s disease, spinal cord injury and mobility problems.

In 2014 Marcin completed his PhD by research at the University of Limerick. His PhD was funded by the Irish Research Council. Marcin is interested in using advanced technologies in augmenting rehabilitation of people with neurological conditions. He investigated the effectiveness of whole-body vibration intervention and functional electrical stimulation on muscle strength, balance, walking and sensation in population of people with multiple sclerosis.

From 2008 until 2019, Marcin worked as a Lead Clinician in Multiple Sclerosis Ireland in Galway where he was responsible for client assessment, development and implementation of individualized and group treatment plans, delivery of assessment in client home, implementation of home exercise programme, supervising and mentoring physiotherapy assistants, and designing and conducting clinical trials for people with Multiple Sclerosis. Marcin also worked as a part-time lecturer in Physiotherapy and Clinical Tutor to students at the University of Limerick.

In 2019 Marcin joined Lyncare as a Clinical Specialist Physiotherapist to provide clinical guidance on the introduction of rehab technology in Ireland. Lyncare have been at the forefront of innovate technologies for many years and Marcin's clinical expertise provided enhanced knowledge and support to customer on the use of such technologies. In November 2020 he took on the role of Lead Clinician with Axon Rehab bringing his vast experience in neuro rehabilitation and advanced rehab technology to a 'first of it's kind' practice in Ireland.

Marcin is an author and co-author of several papers investigating the benefits of exercise and technology in neurological conditions. Marcin is a member of the Irish Society of Chartered Physiotherapists (ISCP), the Rehabilitation in MS, the European Network for Research and Best Practice (RIMS) and the Physiotherapists Interested in MS (PIMS). Marcin is also a Tutor on the Physiotherapy Assistant course, a Bobath Therapist and a Clinical Supervisor for students. Since 2019, Marcin is registered with CORU- Ireland’s multi-professions health regulator.

Publications
Peer-reviewed journal publications

Gunning E and Uszynski MK. Effectiveness of the Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation Method on Gait Parameters in Patients With Stroke: A Systematic Review, Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, 2018, on-line

Uszynski MK, Casey B, Hayes S, et al. Social Cognitive Theory Correlates of Physical Activity in Inactive Adults with Multiple Sclerosis. International Journal of MS Care. 2018;20(3):129-135. doi:10.7224/1537-2073.2016-111.

Uszynski MK, Herring MP, Casey B, Hayes S, Gallagher S, Motl RW, et al. Sources of Variability in Physical Activity Among Inactive People with Multiple Sclerosis. Int J Behav Med. 2018;25(2):259-64.

Casey B, Uszynski M, Hayes S, Motl R, Gallagher S, Coote S. Do multiple sclerosis symptoms moderate the relationship between self-efficacy and physical activity in people with multiple sclerosis? Rehabil Psychol. 2018;63(1):104-10.

Hayes S, Uszynski MK, Motl RW, et al. Randomised controlled pilot trial of an exercise plus behaviour change intervention in people with multiple sclerosis: the Step it Up study. BMJ Open. 2017;7(10):e016336. doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2017-016336.

Coote S, Uszynski M, Herring MP, et al. Effect of exercising at minimum recommendations of the multiple sclerosis exercise guideline combined with structured education or attention control education – secondary results of the step it up randomised controlled trial. BMC Neurology. 2017;17:119. doi:10.1186/s12883-017-0898-y.

Gervasoni E, Parelli R, Uszynski M, Crippa A, Marzegan A, Montesano A, Cattaneo D, “Effects of Functional Electrical Stimulation on Reducing Falls and Improving Gait Parameters in Multiple Sclerosis and Stroke”, PM&R (2016), doi: 10.1016/j.pmrj.2016.10.019.

Ross E, Purtill H, Uszynski M, Hayes S, Casey B, Browne C, et al. Cohort Study Comparing the Berg Balance Scale and the Mini-BESTest in People Who Have Multiple Sclerosis and Are Ambulatory. Phys Ther. 2016;96(9):1448-55.

Uszynski M., Purtill H. and Coote S. “Inter-rater reliability of four sensory measures in people with Multiple Sclerosis”. International Journal of MS Care. 2016 18:2, 86-95

Uszynski M., Purtill H., Donnelly A. and Coote S. “Comparing the effects of whole-body vibration to standard exercise in ambulatory people with Multiple Sclerosis: a randomised controlled feasibility study”. Clinical Rehabilitation. 27 July 2015; pp.657-668

Uszynski M., Purtill H. and Coote S. Relationship between foot vibration threshold and walking and balance functions in people with Multiple Sclerosis (PwMS). Gait & Posture. 2015; 41(1):228-32.

Uszynski M., Purtill H. and Coote S. Test–retest reliability of four sensory measures in people with multiple sclerosis. International Journal of Rehabilitation Research. 2015 March 2015; 38(1):74-80.

Uszynski M. and Coote S. “The effects of Whole Body Vibration (WBV) intervention on body functions, activity limitations and participation restrictions in people with neurological conditions - systematic review”. Physical Therapy Reviews. 2014; 19(6):392-409

Uszynski M., Purtill H., Donnelly A. and Coote S. “The feasibility of comparing whole body vibration intervention to the same duration and dose of exercise for people with Multiple Sclerosis”. Physiotherapy Practice and Research, 2014; 35(2):75-86.